Rocky Mountain Wood Tick (Dermacentor andersoni)

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Map of Rocky Mountain wood tick
Geographic Distribution of the Rocky Mountain wood tick

Rocky mountain wood ticks (Dermacentor andersoni) are found primarily in the Rocky Mountain are in states such as: Nebraska, South Dakota, Arizona, New Mexico, and California.

Rocky Mountain wood ticks can be distinguished by their red or brown color, and tear dropped shaped bodies. While females have a white colored shield, males have gray and white spots.

Rocky Mountain wood tick
Rocky Mountain wood tick (adult)

Rocky Mountain wood ticks can live for a total of 1-3 years and have 3 stages in a life cycle. Rocky Mountain wood ticks are dependent upon mammalian hosts in all 3 stages of life in order to survive.

Rocky Mountain wood ticks are responsible for transmitting the causative agents of Rocky Mountain spotted fever, which can be transmitted to human hosts.


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